US Open 2025 Women’s Day 6

Former champion Emma Raducanu hit the wall with her recent run of form as the Briton lost 6-1, 6-2 on Friday to fellow Grand Slam winner Elena Rybakina to exit the US Open third round.

Raducanu lost serve four times in a 63-minute defeat to exit the event she won in 2021, the year before Rybakina lifted All England Club honours. She suffered a 15th loss against top 10 opponents, winning just three of 18,

Rybakina advanced to the round of 16 with 23 winners to reach her best showing at the Flushing Meadows venue.

“It’s always not easy to play against Emma. I knew that I had to play very aggressive,” the winner said. “I think I did pretty well, so happy.

“The deeper you go in the tournament, the tougher opponents get. Physically also I’ve been feeling well. So yeah, pretty happy with the way the tournament’s going so far.”

The Kazakh has yet to face a break point as she heads into the second week of the season’s final major.

“I found it very difficult to get any sort of rhythm in the match,” Raducanu said. “When I did have a ball, it was hard for me to all of a sudden hit a quality shot.

“It was just hard to really capitalise on the few moments that I had. But credit to her. She played a very good match.”

The Brit added: “I’ve just got to do my best in the next few months until Australia to just keep working to try and close the gap (with the elite players).

“Depending on the day, depending on how we match up, I think I’m getting better overall. 

“I’m improving for sure in the last few months. So I just need to keep
consistent and put this one behind.”

Last year’s finalist Jessica Pegula advanced past two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, with a 6-1, 7-5 scoreline, reaching the second week of a major for the 10th time in her career.

The American ended with 23 winners, including five aces, advancing in 96 minutes.

“I thought I moved really well. I thought I scrambled really well,” Pegula said. “I really wanted to make the match physical. 

“We train together a lot in Florida, so we know each other’s games so well. 

“We’ve played a lot. I could tell she was struggling a little bit physically, so I wanted to keep her moving, keep going after my shots and playing aggressively.”

The 31-year-old fourth seed from a billionaire sports team-owning family won the first 10 points of the match before Azarenka settled in but never really got comfortable in her 18th New York appearance.

The 36-year-old former No. 1 has played three finals here, losing to Serena Williams in 2012 and 2013, and Naomi Osaka in 2020.

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova beat two-time Grand Slam runner-up Jasmine Paolini 7-6 (4), 6-1.

It was the Czech’s first defeat of a top 10 opponent since 2023, not helped by a series of shoulder injuries since winning Wimbledon two years ago.

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets – by Mark Greenwood/Grandslamtennis